When anxiety takes over, the usual advice—deep breathing, meditation, or journaling—might not always work. If you’re looking for something different, try these unconventional yet effective ways to calm your mind:
- Name Five Random Objects
Ground yourself by looking around and naming five random objects. This shifts your focus away from anxious thoughts and back to the present.
- Chew Something Crunchy
Eating something with a strong texture, like carrots or nuts, can engage your senses and interrupt anxious patterns.
- Sing (Even Badly!)
Singing forces you to control your breath and activates the vagus nerve, which helps relax your nervous system.
- Hold an Ice Cube
The intense cold shocks your system, helping to break the cycle of anxious thinking and bring you back to the present.
- Talk to Yourself in Third Person
Saying “You’ve got this, [your name]” can create emotional distance from your anxiety, making it easier to manage.
- Rearrange a Small Space
Shifting furniture or organizing a drawer can give you a sense of control, reducing anxious feelings.
- Laugh—Even if It Feels Forced
Watch a funny video or fake a laugh. Even pretending to laugh can trigger real feel-good chemicals in your brain.
Try these the next time anxiety strikes—you might be surprised at what works!